The Warner sun. (Warner, Brown Co., Dakota [S.D.]) 1885-1???, 1887-10-14
MILITARY EXECUTIONS
ny. CorespoDdencos st. Louis Post Dis.
patch.

paGCns
Inc Fost-DispRtCh recently puDiish-
cd q story taken from the Americas
(Ga.l Recorder, illustrative Of 3he
summary methods of Gen. Bragg in
dealing with the soldiers OF his army,
and with it a strange sequel furnished
by DR.. Chas. Garcia, a well. known
physician OF st. Louis, who proves to
be the hero Of Incidents referred to.
They occurred at Corinth twenty-five
years ago,
1t appears that the doctor was a
member Of the Beauregard Rifles OF
the Crescent Regiment, Of New Orleans,
and with that command had parti-
cipated in the bloody two-days' fight
at Shiloh on the 9th and 7th OF
April, 1862. Failing backt to Corinth,
he was taken i'll with the camp fever,
and not being able to find a surgeon,
for everything al in confusion incl
dent to the process of evacuation, he
went to the train, where he expected
to obtain passage to Tupelo, whittier
the Confederate army was about to
retreat. While passingdown the plat.
form looking for the cars in which the
sick were to be transported, theyoung
fellow-he was then only twenty years
OF age-was gruff1y ordered by q Ser
geant in charge of a squad of men to
fall in and help load the stores. The
soldier replied that he was to ill to
work, and if able he would be with his
regiment. This act Of insubordina-
ton being reported to Gen. Bragg,
who was standing by, the latter in
person ordered the young man to go
to work. The reply was the same:
~ am too i'll, General, and cannot do
it."
"What! You dare to disobey my
orders?"
"Under the circumstances, / do sir, "
was the calm reply.
Calling q Lieutenant of q Louisiana
company doing guard duty, the Gen.
eral said something 30 him soto voce,
and then, with flashing eyes, gave the
order:
"Take six OF your company and
carey this man TO that grove and
snoot himl"
The disobedient soldier was immed-
lately marched to the grove and plac-
ed upon a camp-stool, with his back
to a tree. He refused to be blindlold.
ed, but took of his watch, chain and
ring, wrote a name on a piece of pa
per aud handed it to the lieutenant,
asking that the iewelry be sent to the
address given. NOW / am ready"
he said.
The rifles were leveled, but the young
man looked into their muzzle as quiet
ly as though he was being photo
graphed. After a moment the Lieu.
tenant gave the order to recover
arms" and then quickly advancing
to the soldier whose life had seemed
SO near death, complimented MIN on
his bravery, returned his iewelry and
told him he might go.
Meeting Gen. Bragg a few minutes
later, the officer narrated the circum-
stances. "Goodp1 was the grim re-
Spouse; tfthat's the mettle / want my
men made OF. Find the boy and
bring him to me-Tll promote him."
Search was made, but the "boy"
never was found and recognized, al
though subsequently. while standing
guard at B~eauregard's headquarters
at Tupelo, he ones more encountered
Bragg face to face. 1t is only now
that the young soldier of Corinth has
revealed his identity with the strange
romance and verified the almost for
gotten story.
The article in question has been
widely reprinted by the press Of the
country, and recalls another witness
OF which the writer was an eve wit
ness. 1t also occurred at Corinth, a
few days prior to the evacuation of
that place, and is q type of numerous
other executions at that critical time.
Some of the victims paid the penalty
of death for the crime of de-
sertion, and under the cir
cumstances it may have been proper
enough, because preparations were be-
ing made for an early retreat and the
utmost secrecy was necessary; but in
many instances the killing by court
martial was ordered by Gen. Bragg
for causes that were not justified by
either officers or men.
Our quarters were not far from
town, on one OF the roads leading to
Pennington, where an attack had
been made q few days before by apor-
ton of the command of Gen. Pope,
and we had reason to expect another
at any moment. On the night Of MAY
81 the expectation was intensified by
the capture OF aguide who was plotting
q Federal detachment toward n OF
the Confederate outposts. and who, on
being confronted by Gen. Bragg, frank
" confessed that a portion OF the
Federal army was IN motion, ana q
battle might BE- fought within twenty
four hours. Moreover, ne boldly &C
knowledged his business, and glOried
in the fact that he was q Union man.
"What are you doing in citizens
clothes2" sternly demanded Bragg.
What your men found me doing,
SAID the guide calmly.
Where is your order orcommissson
from q Federal officer to act "a a